When the Nutrilite Canadian Championships began in May, very few people expected the winner to be the Montreal Impact, one of the two United Soccer League franchises entered in the tournament.

Most people reasonably assumed that the Major League Soccer franchise, Toronto FC, would be lifting the trophy and moving on to represent Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Truth be told, I would have to include myself amongst the group of pundits who felt that beating Toronto FC would be too much for the Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps. Toronto had better players, a great stadium and the best supporters in Major League Soccer. On paper, it was an easy call.

But sometimes it's nice to be the underdogs, and the Montreal Impact has taken to the role rather well.

After an opening game defeat in Montreal at the hands of Toronto, the Impact rattled off back-to-back victories over their USL rivals Vancouver. When Toronto only managed to take one point from two games against the Whitecaps, an upset was on the cards in the final game between Toronto and Montreal in Toronto.

With the score level at 1-1, the Impact players rode their luck in the second half. Toronto FC threw everything at them, but some stout defending and majestic goalkeeping from Matt Jordan saw Montreal beat the odds and clinch their place in the CONCACAF Champions League.

A soft spot for Montreal

That in itself is quite a remarkable story. That the Impact has progressed to the group stages of the Champions League, and managed a convincing victory in the opening game at home to Trinidad's Joe Public, is even more surprising.

Now, I have to admit to having a soft spot for Montreal. Playing for a club generally does that to someone, and I will always be indebted to Joey Saputo for allowing me to move to England to further my career.

But when it comes to choosing between the Canadian teams, it's not easy to throw my hat in any one corner. In an ideal world, Montreal and Vancouver would meet in the final of the USL Championships, and TFC would lift the MLS Cup, as I want them all to be successful. Or even better, all three teams would be vying for the MLS Cup in 2011!

Like many others, I had concerns that Montreal would be out of their league when facing the CONCACAF elite. The Impact didn't do much to change that perception in its opening-round victory over Nicaraguan champions Real Esteli.

The two-game, total goals series should have been over as a contest after the opening game in Montreal. Esteli were a poor side that should have been put to the sword, but the Impact only managed a 1-0 victory. The 0-0 draw in the return leg was enough to send Montreal through to the group stages, but it didn't fill me with much hope.

The opening match of the group stages was a difficult home game against Trinidad's Joe Public, who were riding high after dismissing the New England Revolution of the MLS 6-1 on aggregate. An incredible result, as the Revs are one of the strongest teams in MLS.

Can they surprise again?

Again the Impact were underdogs, and again they rose to the challenge.

The Impact played attractive, passing football against Joe Public, and Montreal was full value for the 2-0 victory. Matt Jordan was again solid in goal, and the shape of the team in front of him enabled Montreal to defend in numbers when they needed to protect their lead late on.

The second game of the group stages beckons, and if Montreal isn't already used to being underdogs, they soon will be.

Mexican champions Atlante FC are up next, and they will be heavily favoured to come away from Montreal with three points. It will take a tremendous effort for the Impact to come away with anything from this game, and it will be a shock if they can manage even a point.

Montreal is making habit out of surprising teams, but this game might prove to be too much for them.